I stood glued to the kitchen entrance, scanning my surroundings. There were a few people around, but no one I knew.

Just then, a kitchen maid passing by the door spoke to me.

“The others are in the break room right now. It’s their rest time.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you!”

Great timing! I strode towards the break room next to the kitchen, where I had been once before.

As I approached the door, I saw the kitchen staff sitting cozily together, eating snacks. The head chef, who was at the center of them, noticed me and waved.

“Hello, young lady Shuria! Good afternoon. Are you here to make treats for the dogs? Or to bake cookies?”

“Hello, Head Chef Marilla! Today, I came to have something warm to eat. Would it be alright if I take a seat?”

“Of course! Sit down as much as you’d like. There, give young lady Shuria a cup of tea and some biscuits.”

After some shuffling to rearrange their seats, the kitchen staff sank back into chatter. From what I overheard, the topic was the summer cold that was going around the castle recently.

“This cold seems to be quite severe.”

“You’ll be fine if you eat well. If you eat well, you won’t catch most colds.”

“Speaking of colds, milk liquor has always been…”

“Every time there’s a cold going around our house…”

People started listing foods that were good for colds, one by one. I also wanted to chime in, my mouth itching to speak.

‘Something good for colds… Ginger tea or double flower tea is usually best for colds. But I don’t know how to make them. Other than that…’

Ah, that reminds me!

There was something in this world that could be easily obtained and gave off a vaguely similar feeling to double flower tea. I had made this myself before, so I knew the exact recipe.

I leaned forward and joined the conversation.

“I also know something that’s good to drink when it’s cold. It’s called vin chaud.”

“Vin chaud? I’ve never heard of it.”

Ah, they don’t know it.

“It’s a beverage made by boiling wine with fruits and spices. After drinking it, your insides get really warm and toasty. It tastes good too, of course.”

The kitchen staff showed interest in my explanation.

“That sounds like it would be delicious.”

“It seems simple to make too.”

“Young lady Shuria, do you know exactly what ingredients are needed?”

“Of course! First, lemons, apples, oranges, and tangerines, then cinnamon…”

I rattled off the information I knew. Head Chef Marilla, who was listening to my explanation, nodded.

“We have all those ingredients in abundance. We happen to have some time too, so shall we try making it? Young lady Shuria, would you help out a bit?”

The opportunity to recreate the taste of my memories was right before me. I tapped my chest forcefully with my fist.

“Use me as much as you’d like!”

Nine o’clock at night, in the office of the Roakin monarch.

Aspeiran set down his pen after reviewing the last report. He asked Kiara, who was receiving the documents,

“Is that the end of today’s schedule?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It ended quite early for some reason.”

“Are you planning to retire early today?”

Canis, who was standing guard behind, inquired about his intentions. Aspeiran made a wry smile and leaned his fatigued body against the chair.

The advisors and attendants outside would also know that all of today’s work was finished. He could picture them, eyes sparkling as they waited only for early dismissal.

Yeah, there should be days like this occasionally too. Then, shall I tell them to go home for today…?

It was at that very moment that a polite knock sounded.

“Your Majesty, Lady Shuria has arrived.”

…Shuria?

At the attendant’s words, Aspeiran rose from his seat. He spoke, feeling a bit of impatience.

“Tell her to come in.”

Soon, the door opened and Shuria walked in briskly. Her bright face, cheerful as always.

“Greetings to Your Majesty! Hello, Kiara. Hello, Sir Canis.”

Shuria greeted them energetically. Just by her setting foot inside, it felt as if the heavy atmosphere in the office had brightened.

Aspeiran asked Shuria, unconsciously softening his facial muscles that had stiffened.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“There’s something I really wanted to present to Your Majesty!”

“Present?”

Come to think of it, Shuria was carrying a basket in her hand.

Shuria rummaged inside it and took out a glass bottle. A glass bottle with a red liquid inside, enchanted with a warming spell.

“I made this together with the Kronen Palace kitchen staff today. It’s called vin chaud, made by boiling wine with fruits and spices. It tastes good and above all, it’s great for colds.”

“You’re always up to something.”

His tone was brusque, but Shuria was not discouraged. She knew those words were shorthand for ‘You’re always working hard doing this and that without a moment’s rest.’

Shuria shrugged her shoulders proudly and shook the glass bottle.

“I made it to give to Your Majesty since I heard the cold going around these days is quite severe. By the way, I’m the one who provided the recipe!”

Well, it’s not like I’d ever catch a cold.

Aspeiran covered his mouth with his hand to hide the laughter escaping. The child who had rushed all the way here at this late hour out of worry that he might catch a cold was admirable and…

…adorable.

“Alright, shall I have a taste then?”

Aspeiran stood up from his seat, dusting off his clothes. Kiara, reading the monarch’s intentions, stood with her hands clasped politely.

“Kiara, contact Kronen Palace right now and tell them to prepare a drinking table.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s go, Shuria. Since you made it, you should have a taste too.”

“Me, me having a grand banquet with Your Majesty…? Is that really alright?”

“What wouldn’t be alright about it?”

“Ooh! Shall we invite Rumel too?”

The last line was too deep to be Shuria’s voice. Aspeiran hardened his expression coldly and looked back.

Canis was standing there, blinking innocently.

“It’s a rare opportunity to drink with Your Majesty, we can’t leave out Rumel. I will go ahead and relay the message to him. I’m even more excited since young lady Shuria is joining this time too, cough!”

Canis made a choked sound mid-sentence as he spoke excitedly. It was because Kiara had grabbed his clothes and pulled him back strongly.

With a face so stoic one could never imagine she was strangling her colleague, Kiara bowed her head.

“We will join you after finishing up here, Your Majesty.”

“…Alright.”

Aspeiran glanced at Canis with complicated eyes. Meanwhile, Shuria took out a few bottles from the basket.

“These are for Kiara and Sir Canis. I hope they suit your tastes.”

“Thank you.”

Kiara received the bottles with a small smile. Having achieved all her objectives for visiting the office, Shuria walked out the door with vigorous strides, following Aspeiran.

Canis, who was watching their retreating figures with the gaze of a puppy seeing off its owner, turned to Kiara. His face, which had turned gloomy, was extremely pitiful.

“Why won’t they include us?”

“…Because you have no tact, Canis.”

“Tact?”

Canis tilted his head. Kiara let out a heavy sigh. Did this person really trade all his tact for swordsmanship talent when he was born?

Still, she had no intention of sitting him down and explaining in detail the special possibilities between His Majesty and young lady Shuria.

If he heard that, he would definitely make a fuss, and he wouldn’t be able to properly manage his expressions in front of His Majesty and young lady Shuria.

But he would probably figure it out on his own by the time His Majesty and young lady Shuria’s relationship became clear.

…Probably.

Kiara brushed aside her doubtful feelings and gestured to Canis.

“Enough, Canis. Come and help. Once we’re done with work, let’s go have a drink with Rumel, just us.”

Today is the day I get to drink with my favorite person! Just the two of us!

My steps bounced lightly the whole way as I walked out of the office. I never dreamed such an event would occur when I was making the vin chaud!

As we exited the palace, Aspeiran held out his hand. Does he want me to hold it?

I promptly placed my hand on top of Aspeiran’s large palm. Aspeiran’s complexion faintly stiffens.

“…No, I meant for you to hand me the basket.”

“Ah. Aah~.”

Ahem, my mistake. I got too excited.

I handed over the basket, trying to act nonchalant. But the basket that was in Aspeiran’s hand suddenly vanished without a trace.

“Eek! My vin chaud!”

“Don’t make a fuss. I just put it in my dimensional storage.”

“Dimensional storage?”

“It refers to the space between dimensions that is not bound by the constraints of time and space… It has various uses, but it’s also used to store items.”

Ah, so it’s like an inventory.

If it’s in there, the vin chaud won’t get cold either, so it’s definitely good to put it in. I set aside my worries and pointed towards the unmanned carriage depot.

“Shall we take an unmanned carriage?”

“The weather is nice, so let’s walk.”

No, I love Aspeiran, but honestly, the weather wasn’t that nice today. Plus, it’s night so it’s chilly.

And above all.

“It’ll take a while to walk from here to Kronen Palace, right?”

“It’ll be quick if we use a speed-enhancing spell. Here, give me your hand. You can hold it now.”

Is Aspeiran teasing me about earlier?

I held out my hand, slightly glancing at Aspeiran’s handsome face. Aspeiran overlaps his hand under mine and intertwines our fingers firmly.

Aspeiran’s hand, clasped tightly with mine, was warm unlike usual. The warmth rising from the fingertips circulated through my whole body and lingered on my face for a long time.

It’s not the first time I’ve held hands with him, but my heart fluttered for a moment.

Perhaps it was because the night sky of Roakin looking down on us was particularly beautiful.

‘I guess you have to stick close to the caster for the speed-enhancing spell to work properly.’

This atmosphere was dangerous. I tried hard to turn my thoughts elsewhere and struck up a conversation with Aspeiran.

“Um, Your Majesty. Before we go to the palace, could we stop by the breeding facility for a bit? I need to take Sammemeo to the underground breeding facility.”

“Alright.”

Aspeiran readily agreed. With our destination set, we began walking side by side, holding hands.

The surrounding scenery flashes by at a speed similar to riding an unmanned carriage. The refreshing wind hitting my cheeks blew away any idle thoughts.

I regained peace of mind and spoke cheerfully.

“I’m already excited to have a grand banquet with Your Majesty.”

“Do you like drinking?”

“I do! I’m pretty good at it too.”

“That’s great. The people of Roakin love alcohol. They enjoy drinking strong spirits and wine.”

“Hmm, I haven’t really had strong liquor…”

“You can try it today.”

“What if I get drunk and cause an accident?”

“I’ll take responsibility.”

As we chatted about this and that, we were near the breeding facility before we knew it.

Aspeiran dispelled the speed-enhancing spell. Thinking of my Sammemeo who would be waiting only for me, I went a bit ahead.

Right at that moment.

Bang―!

“Shuria!”

From the direction of the breeding facility, a thunderous sound rang out, as if something was breaking.

Before I could even confirm what it was, Aspeiran embraced me with his right arm and hid me in his arms. His left hand swings largely in the air.

The sound of something heavy smashing into the ground is heard again. And a low, heavy growling sound of an animal.

Although slightly different from usual, I could immediately recognize the owner of this growl.

As Aspeiran’s cloak that had billowed in the wind slowly settles down, my field of vision clears. Aspeiran holds me even more firmly and warns in a low voice.

“Don’t look, Shuria.”

But I had already seen it.

The shattered fence of the breeding facility, and lying in front of it, subdued by Aspeiran’s magic, was Cutie.

Those eyes shining intensely as if resenting the opponent.

My breath caught in my throat.